UT football: Defense taking shape

AUSTIN — After three spring practices under new coordinator Manny Diaz, members of the Texas Longhorns’ defense are beginning to adapt to what Alex Okafor called Diaz’s “unorthodox” approach.

Among the more noteworthy developments so far:

Ends get reinforcements: With Sam Acho and Eddie Jones gone, defensive end was an area of need for the Longhorns, and they turned to an obvious candidate to address it. Okafor, who played tackle as a sophomore last season after becoming one of the nation’s top recruits at end, has been moved back outside, where Diaz said “he has a chance to be something special.”

Former strongside linebacker Dravannti Johnson also is working out exclusively at end, Diaz said. Johnson and Okafor, combined with sophomores Jackson Jeffcoat and Reggie Wilson, could provide UT with a quite serviceable rotation.

Dorsey making a push: Okafor’s departure from tackle means there is no obvious frontrunner to line up beside senior standout Kheeston Randall, but Diaz said he’s been impressed with sophomore Ashton Dorsey so far. Randall, Dorsey and sophomore Calvin Howell currently are UT’s top three tackles, Diaz said.

Linebackers looking strong: UT appears to have a clear-cut top trio of linebackers, with returning starters Keenan Robinson and Emmanuel Acho and sophomore Jordan Hicks. Diaz said it’s not been determined who will play which position, saying his goal simply is to keep the best 11 defenders on the field at the same time, even if it means not playing a nickel defense.

The secondary is a free-for-all: Likewise, in the defensive backfield, Diaz said he is less concerned about specific positions than he is about finding his best players. For now, junior Kenny Vaccaro — who was mentioned last year by coach Mack Brown as a potential cornerback — is working at safety along with returning starters Blake Gideon and Christian Scott.

Sophomore Adrian Phillips, a former safety, and redshirt freshman Bryant Jackson are working at cornerback, where the only returning players with game experience are sophomores Carrington Byndom and A.J. White. Newly signed freshman Quandre Diggs is in camp after enrolling in school early and could also be a factor in the secondary.

The defenders are getting a mental workout: No offensive coaches or players have been available to the media yet, but the Longhorns on the other side of the ball said they’ve been impressed with what they’ve seen so far. Okafor and Gideon said the UT offense is inundating them with varied looks and multiple pre-snap shifts.